Bleacher Umbrella Caddy

ABSTRACT

An umbrella holder holds an umbrella and attaches to sports bleachers. Holder includes a hollow tube for placing an umbrella handle and a threaded rod screwed in the tube for tightening or releasing the umbrella handle. An attaching mechanism is fixed to the hollow tube and includes a means for clamping holder to sports bleachers.

This is a Non-Provisional patent application filed for the invention byRudy Preciado and Renee Preciado of 3807 Town Creek Road West, LenoirCity, Tenn. 37771, for new and useful “Bleacher Umbrella Caddy.”

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to an umbrella holder; and more particularly to aportable umbrella holder having features allowing quick, easy, andsecure temporary attachment to bleachers and other common outdoorstructures.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is often desirable to have an umbrella to provide a welcome shieldfrom the sun or rain. The use of umbrellas during the viewing of varioussporting events has been widely practiced during both rain periods aswell as sun periods. The umbrella protects the sports fan from the heatof the sun and also protects the fan as well as his personal items fromthe rain.

However, manually holding an umbrella can prove quite cumbersome.Furthermore, holding an umbrella for an entire sporting event will provetiring. It would be a benefit, therefore, to have an umbrella holderthat could be affixed to the handle of an existing umbrella and could besecured to a fixed object, and be positioned at a desired height toafford a user protection from the weather. It would be further desirableif the umbrella holder were lightweight and securable to a variety ofstructures, including bleachers commonly found at sporting events.

To solve these problems, umbrella holders have been developed in theart. Such devices relieve the sports fan from manually holding theumbrella by attaching the umbrella to various fixed objects, such asfolding chairs, picnic tables, golf bags, ice chests, and similarobjects. However, the prior art devices are either too complex to buildor use or require a permanent alteration to the object to which it isattached.

Therefore, there is a need in the art for a portable umbrella holderthat quickly, easily, and temporarily attaches to a fixed object withoutmodifying or damaging the fixed object.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The umbrella holder of the present invention addresses theaforementioned needs in the art. The umbrella holder quickly and easilyattaches to and detaches from bleachers without the need to modify thebleachers or the umbrella. The umbrella holder is of relatively simpledesign and construction.

The umbrella holder comprises a tube; a first L-bracket; a secondL-bracket; a clamp mechanism; and an umbrella shaft and handle-securingmechanism.

The first and second L-brackets each have a ninety degree bend at theirmid-points. The second L-bracket, in the same orientation as the first,attaches to the first L-bracket flush along a first side of bothL-brackets. Attachment leaves a gap between a second side of theL-brackets, said second side of the L-brackets are disposed generallyparallel to each other. A first clamping mechanism is attached to thefirst L-bracket at the second side, oriented to clamp objects betweenthe first and second L-brackets. A tube is attached to first and secondL-brackets at the first side of said L-brackets, along the flat side ofthe L-brackets. The tube is oriented such that one end points up whenthe umbrella holder is attached to a bleacher seat.

In the preferred embodiment the L-brackets consist of steel.

In an alternative embodiment the first L-bracket is shorter on the firstside, thereby leaving the top ends of the first and second L-bracketsflush with each other.

In the preferred embodiment the umbrella holder includes an umbrellashaft securing mechanism comprising a second clamping mechanism attachedto the tube. The second clamping mechanism holds an umbrella handle andshaft after the umbrella handle and shaft are inserted into the tube.The second clamping mechanism also allows the user to raise and lowerthe umbrella relative to the tube.

In the preferred embodiment the first clamping mechanism is comprised ofa first and second screw mechanism threaded through the second side ofthe first L-bracket. The screw mechanisms are oriented such that one endof the screw mechanisms extends down from the first L-bracket toward thesecond L-bracket when the screw mechanism is turned, thereby impingingupon the top of a bleachers seat or other structure that has beeninserted between the first and second L-brackets. The impingement of thescrew mechanism upon the bleachers seat causes the second L-bracket toimpinge upon the bottom of the bleachers seat, thereby mechanicallysecuring the umbrella holder to the bleachers seat.

In the preferred embodiment one end of the screw mechanisms include aknob configured to aid in manual turning of the screw mechanisms.

In an alternate embodiment the screw mechanisms are wing screws.

In an alternate embodiment an appropriate non-scuff material such asrubber or neoprene can be secured to the surfaces of the L-brackets andthe impinging end of the screw mechanisms in order to prevent damage tothe bleachers seat and to increase the coefficient of friction betweenthe umbrella holder and the bleachers seat or other structure.

In the preferred embodiment the second clamping mechanism is a thirdscrew mechanism threaded through the side of the tube. After an umbrellahandle or shaft are inserted into the top of the tube, the screwmechanism is turned causing one end of the screw mechanism to extendinto the interior of the tube, thereby impinging upon the umbrellahandle or shaft. The second clamping mechanism allows the user to adjustthe length of the umbrella protruding from the tube, whilesimultaneously preventing the umbrella from being blown out of the tube.

In an alternate embodiment an appropriate non-scuff material such asrubber or neoprene can be secured to the interior surfaces of the tubeand the impinging end of the screw mechanism in order to prevent damageto the umbrella and to increase the coefficient of friction between theumbrella holder and the umbrella.

In another alternate embodiment the first clamping mechanism is attachedto the second side of the second L-bracket, thereby having a means oftightening the clamp on the bottom of the device, to impinge upon thebleachers seat from below.

It is thus an objective of the invention to provide an umbrella holderthat is securable to the shaft and handle of an existing umbrella thatincludes a mechanism for securing the umbrella holder to a variety ofsupport structures and that is provided with positioning mechanisms toallow the user to position the umbrella at a desired height.

It is another objective of this invention is to offer an umbrella holderthat is quick in its attachment and detachment to a bleachers seat andsimilar structures, and is thereby convenient in operation.

It is a still further objective of the invention to provide an umbrellaholder that includes an umbrella shaft and handle securing mechanismthat can be used to secure a variety of umbrella shaft and handleconfigurations to the umbrella holder.

It is a still further objective of the invention to provide an umbrellaholder that accomplishes all or some of the above objects incombination.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description provide embodiments of the inventionand are intended to provide an overview or framework of understandingthe nature and character of the invention as it is claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view with cutaway of the tube of an embodiment of theumbrella holder.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the embodiment disclosed in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the embodiment disclosed in FIG. 1.

Before explaining the disclosed embodiment of the present invention indetail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in itsapplication to the details of the particular arrangement shown, sincethe invention is capable of other embodiments. Also, the terminologyused herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention, which is described more fully hereinafter,provides an umbrella holder that quickly and easily attaches to anddetaches from bleachers without the need to modify the bleachers or theumbrella. This invention may be embodied in many different forms andshould not be construed as limited to the specific embodiments describedherein.

Referring now to FIG. 1 the preferred embodiment of the umbrella holderincludes a first L-bracket [1] having a ninety degree bend [2] at itsmidpoint. A second L-bracket [3] is essentially identical to the firstL-bracket [1]. The first and second L-brackets are attached at a firstside [4] and [5] of each L-bracket. The L-brackets are in the sameorientation to each other and are attached such that the second side [6]of the first L-bracket [1] is separated from the second side [7] of thesecond L-bracket [3], thereby creating a gap [8]. A tube [9] is attachedto the first side [4] of the first L-bracket [1] and the first side [5]of the second L-bracket [3]. The attachment is made via use of a firstbolt [10] inserted through the first [1] and second [3] L-brackets andthe tube [9], and a second bolt [11] inserted through the first [1] andsecond [3] L-brackets and the tube [9] at a point below the first bolt[10]. Both bolts are secured with a nut [12],[13]. Two clamping screws[14],[15] are threaded through the second side [4] of the firstL-bracket [1]. The clamping screws can be lowered to impinge upon ableachers seat by turning knobs [16],[17] attached to the clampingscrews [14],[15]. A third clamping screw [18] is threaded through theside of the tube [9] to allow securing of an umbrella shaft or handleinside the tube [9].

Referring now to FIG. 2, the first L-bracket [19] of FIG. 2 correspondsto the first L-bracket [1] in FIG. 1. The second L-bracket [20]corresponds to the second L-bracket [3] of FIG. 1. The bend [21]corresponds to the bend [2] in FIG. 1. The first side [22] and [23] ofeach L-bracket [19],[20] corresponds to the first side of each L-bracket[1],[3] in FIG. 1. The second side [24] of the first L-bracket [19]corresponds to the second side [6] of the first L-bracket in FIG. 1. Thesecond side of the second L-bracket, as well as the gap, cannot be seenfrom the top view. The tube [25] corresponds to the tube [9] in FIG. 1.The first bolt [26] corresponds to the first bolt [10] in FIG. 1. Thesecond bolt cannot be seen from the top view. The nut [26] correspondswith the nut [12] in FIG. 1. In an alternative embodiment the first andsecond nut and bolt assembly are oriented 180 degrees from theorientation represented in the Figures, thereby reducing protrusion ofthe bolt into the interior of the tube. The knobs [27],[28] correspondto the knobs [16],[17] in FIG. 1. The third clamping screw [29]corresponds to the third clamping screw [18] in FIG. 1.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the first L-bracket [30] corresponds to thefirst L-bracket [1],[19] in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, respectively. The secondL-bracket [31] corresponds to the second L-bracket [3],[20] of FIG. 1and FIG. 2, respectively. The bend [32] corresponds to the bend [2],[21]in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, respectively. The first side [33] and [34] of eachL-bracket [30],[31] corresponds to the first side of each L-bracket[1],[3],[22],[23] in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, respectively. The second side[35] of the first L-bracket [30] corresponds to the second side [6],[24]of the first L-bracket [30] in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, respectively. Thesecond side [36] of the second L-bracket [31] corresponds to the secondside [7] of the second L-bracket [31] in FIG. 1 The tube [37]corresponds to the tube [9],[25] in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, respectively. Thefirst bolt [38] corresponds to the first bolt [10],[26] in FIG. 1 andFIG. 2, respectively. The nut [39] corresponds with the nut [12] inFIG. 1. The knobs [40],[41] correspond to the knobs [16],[17] in FIG. 1and [27],[28] in FIG. 2. The third clamping screw [42] corresponds tothe third clamping screw [18],[29] in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, respectively.

EXAMPLE

The invention is further described by the following non-limiting exampleof use.

The user slides the umbrella holder over the bleachers seat such thatthe gap of the umbrella holder is filled by the bleachers seat, leavingthe bleachers seat between the second side of the first L-bracket andthe second side of the second L-bracket. The user then engages the firstclamping mechanism by turning the knobs on the first and second screwingmechanism. This causes one end of the screwing mechanism to impinge uponthe top of the bleachers seat, causing the second side of the secondL-bracket to rise and impinge upon the bottom of the bleachers seat. Theuser then inserts an umbrella handle or shaft into the tube. The userthen secures the umbrella handle or shaft by turning the third knobcausing the second clamping mechanism to impinge upon the umbrella shaftwithin the tube.

1: An umbrella holder, consisting of: A first L-bracket, said L-brackethaving a ninety degree bend at the mid-point, said L-bracket furtherhaving a first side and a second side, a second L-bracket, saidL-bracket having a ninety degree bend at the mid-point, said L-bracketfurther having a first side and a second side; said second L-bracket inthe same orientation as the first L-bracket, said first side of saidsecond L-bracket affixed to said first side of said first L-bracket; agap between said second side of said first L-bracket and said secondside of said second L-bracket, said gap being the space between secondside of said first and second L-brackets which are disposed generallyparallel to each other; a first clamping mechanism affixed to the firstL-bracket at the second side, oriented to clamp objects between thefirst and second L-brackets, said first clamping mechanism consisting ofa first screw mechanism and second screw mechanism, said screwmechanisms threaded through the first side of the first L-bracket, saidscrew mechanisms oriented such that one end of said screw mechanismsextend down from the first L-bracket toward the second L-bracket whenthe screw mechanism is turned, thereby impinging upon the top of ahorizontal surface said horizontal surface having been inserted intosaid gap, said second side of said first L-bracket and said second sideof said second L-bracket oriented horizontally above and below saidbleachers seat; a means to manually turn said first screw mechanism; ameans to manually turn said second screw mechanism; a tube affixed tosaid first L-bracket and said second L-bracket at said first side ofsaid L-brackets, said tube oriented such that one end points up whensaid umbrella holder is attached to said bleacher seat; a mechanism forsecuring an umbrella shaft, comprising a second clamping mechanismattached to said tube, said second clamping mechanism consisting of athird screw mechanism, said screw mechanism threaded through the side ofsaid tube, oriented such that one end of said screw mechanism extendsinto the interior of said tube toward an umbrella shaft when the screwmechanism is turned, thereby impinging upon the side of said umbrellashaft and securing said umbrella shaft against an interior side of saidtube; a first non-scuff material secured to a first surface of saidsecond side of said first L-bracket; a second non-scuff material securedto a second surface of said second side of said second L-bracket; athird non-scuff material secured to said first screw mechanism; a fourthnon-scuff material secured to said second screw mechanism; a fifthnon-scuff material secured to said third first screw mechanism; and asixth non-scuff material secured to interior of said tube. 2: Theumbrella holder of claim 1 wherein said means to manually turn saidfirst screw is a knob. 3: The umbrella holder of claim 1 wherein saidmeans to manually turn said first screw is a wing screw. 4: The umbrellaholder of claim 1 wherein said non-scuff material is rubber. 5: Theumbrella holder of claim 1 wherein said non-scuff material is neoprene.6: A umbrella holder comprising: A first L-bracket, said L-brackethaving a ninety degree bend at the mid-point, said L-bracket furtherhaving a first side and a second side, a second L-bracket, saidL-bracket having a ninety degree bend at the mid-point, said L-bracketfurther having a first side and a second side; said second L-bracket inthe same orientation as the first L-bracket, said first side of saidsecond L-bracket affixed to said first side of said first L-bracket; agap between said second side of said first L-bracket and said secondside of said second L-bracket, said gap being the space between secondside of said first and second L-brackets which are disposed generallyparallel to each other; a first clamping mechanism affixed to the firstL-bracket at the second side, oriented to clamp objects between thefirst and second L-brackets, said first clamping mechanism consisting ofa first screw mechanism and second screw mechanism, said screwmechanisms threaded through the first side of the first L-bracket, saidscrew mechanisms oriented such that one end of said screw mechanismsextend down from the first L-bracket toward the second L-bracket whenthe screw mechanism is turned, thereby impinging upon the top of ableachers seat said bleachers seat having been inserted into said gap,said second side of said first L-bracket and said second side of saidsecond L-bracket oriented horizontally above and below said bleachersseat; a means to manually turn said first screw mechanism; a means tomanually turn said second screw mechanism; a tube affixed to said firstL-bracket and said second L-bracket at said first side of saidL-brackets, said tube oriented such that one end points up when saidumbrella holder is attached to said bleacher seat; a mechanism forsecuring an umbrella shaft, comprising a second clamping mechanismattached to said tube, said second clamping mechanism consisting of athird screw mechanism, said screw mechanism threaded through the side ofsaid tube, oriented such that one end of said screw mechanism extendsinto the interior of said tube toward an umbrella shaft when the screwmechanism is turned, thereby impinging upon the side of said umbrellashaft and securing said umbrella shaft against an interior side of saidtube; a first non-scuff material secured to a first surface of saidsecond side of said second L-bracket; a second non-scuff materialsecured to a second surface of said second side of said secondL-bracket; a third non-scuff material secured to said first screwmechanism; a fourth non-scuff material secured to said second screwmechanism; a fifth non-scuff material secured to said third first screwmechanism; and a sixth non-scuff material secured to interior of saidtube. 7: The umbrella holder of claim 6 wherein said means to manuallyturn said first screw is a knob. 8: The umbrella holder of claim 6wherein said means to manually turn said first screw is a wing screw. 9:The umbrella holder of claim 6 wherein said non-scuff material isrubber. 10: The umbrella holder of claim 6 wherein said non-scuffmaterial is neoprene. 11: (canceled) 12: An umbrella holder, comprising:a tube; a first L-bracket; a second L-bracket; said tube affixed to saidfirst L-bracket; a clamp mechanism affixed to said first L-bracket; ableacher seat; said bleacher seat clamped to said first L-bracket. 13:The umbrella holder of claim 12 further comprising a second clampmechanism affixed to said tube. 14: The umbrella holder of claim 12further comprising a gap between a second side of said first L-bracketand a second side of said second L-bracket. 15: The umbrella holder ofclaim 12 wherein said L-brackets consist of steel. 16: The umbrellaholder of claim 12 further comprising a first strip of non-scuffmaterial affixed to a second side of said first L-bracket and a secondside of said second L-bracket. 17: The umbrella holder of claim 12wherein said clamp mechanism comprises a screw.